Life preserver



Sept. 18, 1923.

A. D. ELlAs LIFE PRESERVER Aug. 10 1922 Filed 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fi Daria? 162.:

MIMI-SE6 J11! ATTORNEY Sept. 18, 1923. 11,468,484

A. D. ELIAS 7 LIFE PRE SERVER Filed Aug. 1d, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 18, 1923.

ADOLPH D. ELIAS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

LIFE PRESERVER.

Application filed August 10. 1922.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ADoLPH D. ELIAS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in valve 8 extending through the reinforce- Jife Preservers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to life preservers. he object of the invention is to provide a life preserver of the type designed to facilitate learning to swim and to permit inexperienced or experienced persons to float, and the invention includes novel means by which the device may be applied.

These objects, and other advantageous ends which will be described hereinafter, I attain in the following manner, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a sectional elevation showing the improved life preserver in use,

Figure 2 is an enlarged edge view of the device,

Figure 3 is a plan View,

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure 3, and

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing another method of applying the device.

The improved life preserver consists of an annular inflatable body 6, preferably'of circular cross-section and made of rubber or other flexible water-proof material. The body 6 is provided with a reinforcement or path 7 at the outer edge and an inflating ment and body, and projecting radially from the body. Valve 8 is preferably of the type which permits'the escape of air, for deflating the tube, on unscrewing the valve. 'When the valve is unscrewed, the tubular body 6 may be inflated by blowing or otherwise.

Two fiat elastic loops 9 are provided at substantially opposite points on the tubular body to extend at right angles to the plane of the body, and the valve 8 is located mid way between these loops. Loops 9 preferdicated at 10 and are Serial No. 580,863.

ably extend around the tubular body as in formed therewith or vulcanized thereto to give reinforcement. They extend from near the outer edge of the tubular body, so as to properly fit around the shoulders of a person and under the armpits or around the arms when the device is applied against the back and shoulders to facilitate floating as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. In this position, the valve 8 is preferably downward. However, since the inner edge of the body 6 is smooth, the device may be applied to fit snugly around the chest or body of a person, with the loops hanging down, as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings. In this position, the valve will extend forwardly and possible injury to the body will be prevente l Vhile I have described my invention as taking a particular form, it will be understood that the various parts of my inven tion may be changed without departing from the spirit thereof, and hence I do not limit myself to the precise construction set forth, but consider that I am at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly come within the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is life preserver comprising an annular inflatable body; flexible loops extending transversely from opposite points on the periphery of said body and having their ends encirclesaid body and being vulcanized thereto, said loops fitting closely around the arms, and an inflating valve at the peripheral edge of the body midway between said loops, adapting said device to be worn on the back or around the waist of a person.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two. subscribing witnesses.

ADOLPH D. ELIAS. Witnesses:

JoHN E. BURCH, CHAs. E. Po'rrs. 

